ThriftyFun Crafts - June 28, 2006

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We found a pattern for a picnic table constructed from 1 piece of 3/4 inch plywood. It will seat 4-6 people and is small enough to fit in the back of a SUV. It is constructed with removable screws and is disassembled for storage.

I painted the table green and "stenciled" leaves onto the top, benches and sides. I collected different sizes of leaves (fern, oak, sweet gum, etc.). The leaves were laid on the surface and spray paint was applied; the leaves were gently removed; we used a brown tone paint and a hunter green. A large fern leaf was "stenciled" on the top of the table in the middle with English ivy leaves "stenciled on the corners of the table

We made another table a few years ago and it is very handy for camping, picnics or other functions. I will post a picture of that at a later date.

We are going on a camping vacation at the end of the week (6/23) and will have two camping picnic tables to use plus a metal camp table.

By WandaJo from Collierville, TN

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I know it's kind of early, or late for that matter, for Christmas but I am a new member and I thought I would share. This is a Candy Cane Candle holder that I made for gifts last year.

I took a little glass decorative coaster (bought for a buck at the dollar store). I used a tin can from mushrooms or soup, spray painted it red and glued it onto the coaster. Next I glued the candy canes on. (this was the most expensive part of this project so try to get them when they are on sale) The candy canes get glued around the outside so the "hooks" of the canes fan out.

I glued the ribbon around the candy canes to kind of pull it all together, and glued it to form the bow (this ribbon was also purchased at the dollar store for a buck and I was able to make 4 candle holders plus I have more extra. And last but not least put the candle on top (candle was a dollar as well).

This is relatively inexpensive and it makes for a great (and cute!) centerpiece for the holidays!

By Terra from Manitoba Canada

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Editor's Note: This tip was entered in the feedback. We asked Donna to send in pictures and she was kind enough to do so.

For my daughter's first birthday party, I made her into the "Gerber" baby by creating new "labels" for the jars. I started with a Word document and inserted a picture of her from my Kodak files, then shrunk the picture down to the size needed to fit the baby food jars. After that, to the left of the picture I typed "ingredients" to include mom, dad, grandparents, and added aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. On the right side of the picture I typed her birth statistics and her height/weight a year later.

I even inserted lines and bars to make her very own "barcode" with the numbers of her birthdate under each bar. I copied and pasted 6 or 7 to a page, cut them out, then glued them to the baby food jar. I filled them with M & Ms, Skittles, and cereal to give as gifts at her birthday party, and for table decorations.

Ingredients: 60% Dad, 50% Mom. Other contributing ingredients include DNA and lots of love from Grandma & Grandad plus blessing from Heaven from Maw Maw & Paw Paw. As well as lots of fun from cousins . . ., Hugs and Kisses from Aunts and Uncles . . .

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This very simple version of an old duct tape favorite is functional and sturdy enough for everyday use.

Items Needed:

• Duct tape (various colors)
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Take 4 strips of duct tape 7 inches long. Lay them on a flat surface, sticky side up, attaching each one to the next by overlapping a very thin strip length ways.

2. Take 4 additional strips of duct take 7 inches long. Lay them sticky side to sticky side on the other duct tape sheet. Now, you have "duct tape fabric".

3. Trim off any excess sticky tape around the edges.

4. Fold your "duct tape fabric" in half length ways. You should end up with a long rectangle.

5. Use a piece of duct tape to close one of the sides of the rectangle. Trim off any extra duct tape around the edges.

6. Fold the wallet in half and, keeping it folded, use a piece of duct tape to close the remaining open side of the wallet. (Keeping it folded will help you to avoid the duct tape bulging.)

7. Personalize your wallet with duct tape designs. I added a pocket to my wallet for receipts or possibly a credit card. Just use two strips of duct tape that are the same length as one side of the wallet. Make those two pieces into "duct tape fabric". Attach to the wallet with the same or a complimentary color of duct tape.

Fairly easy craft that could be done with upper elementary aged children.

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When planning an outdoor party, it is always an issue of pests (bugs) flying into beverage pitchers. To control this problem, I hot glued some small metal spoons on two corners of a napkin (on the wrong side of the napkin); hot glue a pretty large button on the other corners of the napkin.

When draped over the pitcher, the spoons lay flat and will not allow pests to get into the pitcher. You can also hot glue pretty buttons on the corners of the napkins or dishtowels to put over platters of food when serving outdoors.

I used a large bandana, a dishtowel and a napkin for this tip!

By WanJoy from Collierville, Tennessee

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Elastic around your waist should be your waist size minus 2 inches. It works every time.

By Ardis

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We're getting married in July, and to save money we're doing everything ourselves. We will be spending the two days before the wedding, baking and cooking with our families.

For our wedding favors, we are going to line a buffet table with plates of homemade cookies we remember from childhood, made by mom, grandma, and the aunts. There will be Chinese takeout containers for guests to load with chosen cookies.

This way, each guest will be sure to end up with something they like, and they don't have to lug knick-knacks home to sit on a shelf! Plus, we get to save money on favors and relive a little bit of childhood magic.

The takeout containers are easy to find online, and you can personalize them with ribbons, stamps, or stickers.

By Heidi from Charlottesville, VA

Editor's Note: Heidi, if you get a chance, please take pictures to share.

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When buying seasonal patterns for children, I try to make sure there is a size for when I can actually make the item. If its for next year, make sure you get a bigger size. If the pattern is a classic you may want to get two sizes.

By Dee

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My daughters like to 'design' some of their own clothes, which often means they will be either cutting or adding something to their clothing. I have a hard time watching them alter a pair of jeans I just paid $50 for, so, I started going to the local thrift stores to buy newer looking, or vintage looking clothes in my kids' sizes, and they can design all they want without me worrying that expensive brand new clothes will be ruined. Bonus - they end up with original outfits that no one else at school has.

By Jennifer Gillum

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The price of patterns are very very high. Our local fabric store has sales frequently on patterns. So I go through the books or search online prior to the sale, write down what interest me on a small notebook, write what pattern company sells it. Then when there is a sale on patterns, I don't have to take time going through the books to see what I want. I can go straight to the patterns and choose what I like, sometimes it's the only one available.

It's a lot easier to think about the patterns I need when there are not so many people around for the sale day.

By Dee

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If the top part of a child's dress doesn't fit, but the skirt part does, you can cut off the blouse portion, sew up the back part of the skirt, hem the waist area, insert elastic and make it into a skirt.

This is from an old memory of what my mother did for me when I outgrew a favorite dress. It lived on as a reincarnated skirt.

By Holly

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Does anyone have instructions for making a GIANT wreath for Christmas? The one I want is large enough to step through. I saw one mounted on a porch at the front just above the steps and was 6 or 7 feet tall. I think it was made of plywood. It had greenery attached (probably stapled) to it and a large bow on top. White lights were put inside the greenery and it was very attractive. Hope someone can help.

Many thanks!

LaVerne from Midland, GA

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Can wine corks be used for outdoor projects? Could you make an outdoor bar with wine corks? Will mold be an issue? Basically, are wine corks weatherproof and usable in outdoor settings.

Cork Fanatic from New Jersey

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Does anyone know how to make a wind spinner (whirligig) from beer or soda cans?

Gasjarvi from Ilion, NY

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I looking for a pattern(s) on how to make a hat out of palm fronds. Anyone know where I can get some instructions?

j from Mobile

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I am looking for free knifty knitter patterns.

Judy from Michigan

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Does anyone know how to use liquid starch to cover your walls with fabric? We live in a mobile home.

Annmel from Mountain Home, AR

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I wear a lot of novelty socks (you know, the non-boring kind with decorative stuff like kitties and puppies) rather than trouser socks. One of my toes is a bit longer than the others, so I often wear a hole in the toe. I darn them several times, but eventually it gets to the point that they can't be darned any further. However, when they reach this point, the rest of the sock is fine and still cute. Can anyone think of something else I could DO with the socks other than toss them? I thought about dog toys but the socks are not anywhere near sturdy enough, and I don't have cats for kitty toys. Suggestions?

Barefoot Contessa from Starkville, MS

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I would like to make small favour boxes for a baby shower. Does anyone have any templates?

Radiate from Ontario, Canada

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Does anyone have any opinions on what the best staple gun is? Particularly for use by a woman doing crafting and home upholstering?

Thank You,
A.Papaya from Satellite Beach, FL

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How do you make a belt out of Starburst wrappers?

Bob from Yuma, AZ

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How do you cut and preserve day lilies to be used in a flower arrangement?

Hardiness Zone: 6b

Jane from Mountain View, MO

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I would like to make my own diaper bag. Does anyone have a pattern? I'd also like to make a nursing pillow if anyone has a pattern.

Radiate from Ontario, Canada

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I would like a pattern, step by step, of the Jordy Bag.

Thanks.
Joangel from Peoria, AZ

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